Pipe or culvert



June 16, 1942.

Hf s. CLAYBAUGH PIPE 4on cULvERT Filed Nov. 1o,` 1939 IHMIUM mmllllujm 24 "lui IMI INVENTOR BY Holm/fa C'LArm/G/f.

* -J ATTORNEY;

. Patented `lune 16, 1942 y l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PIPE R CULVERT Howard S. Claybaugh, Minneapolis, Minn., as-

` signor to The American Rolling Mill Company,

Middletown, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 10, 1939, Serial No. 303,846

7 (Cl. 13S-70) This application is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 135,555, led April 7, 1937, and entitled Pipe or culvert and method for making.

This invention relates to improvements in pipes and culverts or the like, and to the method for making same, and has among its objects to `provide a one-piece tubular structure in which more iiow eiiiciency from a hydraulic standpoint is obtained, in which less head room is obtained with better placement ofow and in which the arch strength is increased, and in which a desirable flexibility is obtained which is of advantage in supporting the load which the structure must carry.

The invention is applicable to hydraulic piping in general, and although the invention has found a valuable application in culverts, it is not limited entirely to such application.

In the last few years metal culverts have come more and more into use, but in all arch-type culvert structures known to me the arches are arranged upon some fabricated base of wood or metal, are assembled on the job, and are either bolted to angle irons on a cement or other base, or a nat metal base is used and has turned up ends to which the feet of the arch are riveted.

Flat bases of metal have a disadvantage in that. due to thrust of the feet of the arches at the outer sides of the base, the same buckles upwardly centrally. In case of buckling there is likely to be foundation undermining due to washout. It is an object of my invention to avoid this.

Another and' important object of this inven-v tion is to provide a structure having a relatively wide bottom with a relatively low vertical height and to use as a starting material, the ordinary cylindrical pipe, and to deform and shape the pipe so as to obtain all of the advantages hereinafter set forth and to avoid the disadvantages of formerstructures.

Another object of my invention is the provision of an arch-type culvert or pipe having inherent advantages both in the manufacture and in installation and use over any arch-type culvert heretofore produced, as will be set forth.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of arch-type culverts in-sizes comparable to the smaller sizes of culverts which hitherto could not be produced in arch form.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of integral, unitary arch-type culverts in all sizes, which can be handled and installed fabrication in the eld or during installation.

Still another object of my invention is the provision of integral arch-type units which ernbody all of the protective features which contribute to the wear resistance and prolongation of the life of conventional culvert units, and especially the provision of paved, arch-type culverts.

These and other objects of my invention which will be set forth hereinafter or will be" apparent to the skilled worker in theart upon reading on along cylindrical tube and applying pressure like ordinary culvert unitsand do not require at points spaced axially of the tube to bring the total length of the tubing to the required form; along with all the broader ideas of means inherent in the drawing or specication or claims.

Features, objects, and advantages of the invention will appear in the description of the drawing; and in said drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing'A the essential elements of the press and their action in deforming the cylindrical tube and showing the tube in end view.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the relation of the cylindrical tube, to the contour of the improved culvert made therefrom, as a result of controlled deformation. v

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section taken through one of the pressing elements and tube being deformed thereby, and illustrating the corrugated liner or conformation of the mold and its relation to the corrugations of the tubular element during deformation of the same.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a. band which may be employed in fastening culvert sections together.

Figure 5 ls an elevational view of paved culvert.

Figure 6 is a partial longitudinal View of a culvert having a modified form of paving.

Figure 7 is a front elevation of another form of press. f

Briefly, in the practice of my invention, I first form a culvert section in the conventional way. Preferably the culvert is formed circumferentially employ a section which is`formed circumferentially of more .than one sheet. Then I deform lengthwiseof the tube.

' press comprising aframe 2i. a-base 22, atop beam 23 and a movable platen 24 which may be actuall sizes of culvert.

usual. This is possible in all but the larger sizes; but it is not without the spirit of my invention to the completed culvert section to arch shape as will hereinafter be described.' In the deformation, the upper section is given a wider curve than the original, and the bottom 'section is not formed fiat but somewhat convex outwardly and the two sections are Joined by curved portions at the side edges of the arch. In the deformation, provision is made for retaining the contour and continuity of the corrugations in the culvert or pipe where corrugations are employed. A paving may be in stalled in the culvert or pipe either before or after the deformation, or partly before and partly after the deformation,` all as will be fully `explained hereinafter. V

Referring first to Figure 1, numeral I indicates a vertically disposed I-beam of a pair, having attached thereto in spaced relation a pair of dieforming elements respectivelyv 2, I and the said elements may be faced by what I term a liner o f corrugated metal I, the liner being suitably secured as by riveting or welding (not shown) to the metal elements 2 and 3.

'I'he arc of contour of this liner is' not circular but has substantially the curvature desired for ai the archof theflnal product, which is preferably parabolic. In any eventr-the curvature is such as to properlyform the arch portion of the culvert.

A second die element is indicated at 6 and this Y also has a corrugated liner 1 similar to that at i. 35

The die element l is sultablybacked in this case by horizontally arranged I-beams It, and in one form of the press, now used, the I-beams are moved by suitable mechanism toward the element li The elements thus far described` constitute parts of a press which will include a suitable framework and pressure applying means (not shown in 'Figurei I It is to-be noted that the tubular element being acted upon is formed from a single sheet of corrugated metal with the end portions overlapped as at I I, and riveted by a series of rivets I2 spaced In Figure 'I I have shown a'modiiled formofated by hydraulic mechanism -25 or other suitable mechanical or' fluid means. The base 22 is hollowed out to the desired arch shape for a large size culvert or pipe as at 26;' and I provide a series of nesting die members 21 which may be stacked in groups of varying number'to adapt the press for the-formation ofgculvert or pipeoi difieren.'

Different die members may b e 4attached tothe platen 24 to'form arch bottoms of different curvatures, if desired.`but I have not found this necessary 'in practice. The bottom. of the culvert should .be convex outwardly; but it is sumcient to form the bottom surface ofV the platen 24 to a curve of large radius,` or to form it of meeting singularly-related planes as shown so as to give it a desired concavity which may be the same forv Itwill be noted thatthe dies shown'in Figure 'l 70 are not. provided with corrugated surfaces. Corrugated members conforming to the corrugations of the cylindrical culvert are sometimes of assistance in maintaining the corrugations during deu bottom portion of the improved pipe.

I from a single metal sheet the ends of which are lapped and riveted or otherwise fastened as is formation; but with culverts of properly defined corrugations and normal thicknesses of metal in proportion to the diameter yof the culvert are usually not necessary. and-successful commercial operation is. being carried on'with dies having smooth surfaces.

A feature of the invention is the operation of defamation by pressures successively applied at points spaced axially of the tube. In this way the result can be obtained by the use of relatively narrow dies. Action is first had on the end of the tube and then the'tube is moved axially stepby-step so that pressure is successively applied, until the whole tube has been deformed in the manner ,contemplated herein. In this way the dimension of the dies is not controlling as to the length of sections which can be formed. InFigure 2 the arch is shown as partly circular, while in Figure l the arch is non-circular. Both conilgurations are contemplated herein. Although in-Figure 1, the press is'shown in its final position it will be understood, by an inspection of Figure 2, that the tubular element originally had a cylindrical form. Of course the main feature herein is the deformation of this hollow cylindrical element, to provide a mechanically improved pipe or culvert, which may or may not have sub-5 stantially the same cross sectional area or watercarrying capacity as the cylindrical tube from which it is made. but which gives greater flow capacity in the bottom portion and which provides a base which will not buckle upwardly, and

which actain a selfetamping manner as the load isapplied to the arch.

Referring now to Flgur by way of example only, and there is no intention to be limited to the exact shape or capacity other than that a pipe is provided which has a maximum of bed area and flow capacity with a` minimum ofv head space. As an example only, the dimensions have been given -for a culvert produced by deformation of a cylindrical metal tube having-a diameter of 30 inches. The cross-.sec-

tional area of the cylinder is about 4.91 square' feet, and the cross-sectional area of the improved pipel (in this instance a culvert) is about 4.69 square feet. This Aratio of the cylindrical to the deformed pipe may be varied, so that greater bed' capacity is obtained as a result of deformation,

but so that cross-sectional area is proportionately less than in the abore example. An important feature is the relatively large ow capacity in the The tomi head ,mom -m this particuir improved culvert is about 23% inches. 20 inches of f this amount lying above a line A which approximately represents the level of the connecting zone of the feet of the arch I5 with the base I6. The width of the base. as measured by this horizontal line A, is substantially greater than the diameter of the cylinder represented by line B, said voriginal diameter beingV 30 inches, and the width of the base of the improved. culvertbeing about'3'l5 inches. The feet ofthe arch merge into the base by curved portions 17 of relatively small curvilinear extent or area. Of coursethere is no intention to be rigidly limited to the exact areas of these curved portions, but they are all ofrelatively small extent as compared with the base and arch portions andin all instances the base although relatively fiat and concaved upwardly.- is substantially ofgreaterwidth than the diameter of the original cylindrical element fr'om which the improved culvert is produced.'

An important point is that the width ofthe '2, this lgure is given l bed ow has been increased, and insofar as the iiow volume is'concerned the added and emcient area lies between the portion I8 of the dotted line representing the outline of the cylinder, and the portions I9 and 20 respectively at the lower portion of the base area which extends from the vertical middle of the culvert to the point of connection at the foot of the arch.

The curved portions of the improved arch are generally non-circular and the archis preferably of parabolic form. The curved bottom is preferably non-circular and has more of an elliptical conguration, but in any event is preferably convex outwardly. The dies may be riveted to channel irons and compression action is obtained by'any suitable means. i

The tubular sections can be from two to four feet long, and the span as measured horizontally can be 18 inches to 67 inches. Good proportions are: 18 inch span with a rise (vertical height) of 10 inches; or up to 67 inch span with a 37- inch rise, etc. 'I'he invention is not limited to or by the above dimensions. The device is particularly valuable for cross drains, and for storm sewers to give large ow capacity to low head room. In the highway field for side Vculverts, or underthe-road culverts, especially where beautification is a factor, these culverts are more atractlve as drain structures.

In carrying out the invention, a cylindrical pipe is made and is riveted together in the usual manner by standard fabricating methods. This pipe is then placed in a machine and is deformed concave for several reasons. One is to keep it or collapsed preferably by dies, the diesbelng shaped to hold the pipe (as collapse occurs) as to obtain a iinal conguration substantially like that shown in the drawing, -including a base which is slightly upwardly concave.

The advantages are valuable ones. The total cross-sectional or flow capacity area is not substantially changed, but there is a very substantial increase of flow capacity at the bottom portion of the pipe. Thisv greater ilow capacity at the bottom is desirable because under ordinaryconditions water remains at this lower level. The pipe is rarely more than three-fourths full, and this relatively very much larger iiow capacity is at the bottom where it should be. l

The improved culvert therefore spreads the water over a larger base area and fora given volume reduces the velocity which is a particular advantage when placing the culvert in ditches or especially on a sand foundation because lessened velocity decreases the amount of under wash. Another-important advantage is that substantially greater normal cross-sectional area is obtained with substantially less head room, and the'culvert can be .installed with very few inches of cover.

Another important advantage is that the supporting strength of the arch is substantially inas flat as possible to obtain large bottom area. Another is to provide a bottom which will atten to some extent as the load is applied, and will act as a self-tamper, yet will still retain its curved form, .and will lnot buckle upwardly,

at the sides and as far back beneath the bottom as is practicable. When the load is appliedl to the arch and the curved bottom spring slightly or fiattens slightly it will cause the loose fill back under the outside ends of 1 the culvert to be tamped' and become compact, which adds greatly to the strength of the culvert.

In this invention the cylindrical pipe is so acted upon and its shape is so changed that the resistance'to deformation of the final article by load is substantially increased, the vertical height is decreased (which is required more and more in road work), and due to the broader horizontal base with its lower level, increased flow capacity is provided.

The culvert or pipe of my invention may be given a paving in accordance with the teachings of the Cushman Patent No. 1,735,732. This may be accomplished by dipping and draining the structure in a horizontal position, using a fluid bath of suitable bituminous or other paving material. Pavings may be made without filling up the corrugations level full, and will contribute to the life of the structure. I prefer, however, completely to ll up the corrugations so as to make a level oor over the paved portion. I prefer also to cause the pacing to cover the whole bottom of the structure and to extend part way up the sides of the arch, thus providing a paving which maybe referred to as trough y shaped. This may be formed by dipping the culcreased since the method of formation has taken out or annulled most of what may be termed the initial exibility. The resistance to load has been substantially increased. The upwardly concave base, or downwardly convexbase, allows thevproper amount of iiexibility but increases the dead load and live load needed to appreciably deect the arch.

In cases where an end of a culvert projects beyond an embankment, greaterfstrength is `provided by thel culvert of this invention against sagging.

The.. bottom or base of the culvert is curved vplaced in a culvert, caused to conform to the inside conguration thereof, and caused to adhere by heat and pressure, or by the use of a cement.

In Figure 6, I have shown themetal Ibody 30 of the culvert, which in this case is-a galvanized body, carrying an inwardly disposed sheet of asbestos or the like 3l which was applied to it priorto the solidii'ication of the molten galvan.`

izing metal soas to become imbedded therein. 'I'his may be done before the sheets are formed into the original round culvert. A paving 32 'of bituminous or like substance, which may either be formed by dipping or may be formed as a pad, is in adhesive contact with the asbestos sheet 3|.

My culvert vsections are handled in. the viield as ordinary culvert sections, and may be fastened" together in endwise relationship by means of bands such as that shown at 33 in Figure 4, or

may be otherwise fastened together as desired. Modications may be made in my invention but isreIatively iiatly ycurved and is upwardly without departing from the spirit of it.' Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by letters Patent is:

1. An arch shaped culvert comprising a sheet metal tube having a top arch wall and a base wall, the said arch wall being of an extent not x greater than a semi-circle and of relatively large running substantially transversely of the axis of the culvert and continuously through the arch `vvall, connecting portions and base wall, the said connecting portions being of metal characterized by-.'ygreater work straining than the arch wall and bise wall', the said structure having a load sustaining `strength not substantially less than the load sustaining strength of a full round cul'- vert of the same span and 'made oi sheet metal of the same gauge and quality and having the same pitch and depth of corrugations.

.. 2. The culvert claimed m claim 1 in wmcn. the j sheet metal from which it is formed is circumfereentially continuousin all portions excepting for a single longitudinal joint located substantially in the central -one-third of the said arch wall. "30

3. The structure claimed in claim l1 in which the base wall has an outward convexity. f V

4. The culvert claimed in claim 1in which the sheet metal from which it is formed is circumferentially continuous in all portions excepting for a single longitudinal joint located substantially in the central one-third of the said arch wall, and in which the base wall has an outward convexity. r

5. The culvert claimed in claim 1 having interiorly on its base wall a protective paving, .said paving serving substantially to i111 up the corrugations on said base wall so as to form-a substantially l'evel iioor.

6. The culvert claimed in claim 1 having interiorly on its base wall a protective paving, said paving serving substantially to fill up the corrugations on said base wall so as to form a substan tially level floor, said' iloor extending Vupwardly -at least around said curved connectingy portions so as to form a trough shaped paving.

'7. The culvert claimed' in claim 1 havinginteriorly on its base wall a protective paving, said paving serving substantially to ll up the corrugations on said base wallso as to form a substantially level iioor, said paving comprising a bitumenL HOWARD s. CLAYBAUGH. 

